UNI

[Yotes]

Did we have an offensive play after the TD put us up 7-0? It felt like UNI had the ball for the final 45+ minutes. Great play by our defense but just an anemic performance on offense.

[nccyote]

This offense will live and die by how Saeger plays. The o-line and RBs are just not good enough yet to put the game on their shoulders exclusively. When Saeger is off, like he was on Saturday, the offense will struggle against teams that can stop our run game. In the NDSU game, Saeger's timing and decision making were lights out. In losses against YSU, WIU, and now UNI, he has struggled and therefore the offense struggles. I thought play calling was just fine, players needs to make plays and that didn't happen enough on Saturday. I thought we matched up physically pretty well with UNI, or guys just didn't execute as well as they did for 4 quarters. Defense gave us a chance in the 2nd half but the offense could never get anything going. Big game against SIU in the dome this week to get back over .500.

[yodayote]

There is a reason that teams or players play bad against good teams. Good teams make you look bad by taking away things you do and forcing you to do things you are uncomfortable with. I think NDSU was underprepared against us and thought they could just impose their will on us.

UNI and YSU really looked to take away the run and were very physical with our receivers. They basically said that if you are going to beat us it will be by throwing the ball downfield.

[Yote 53]

Sounds about right. Comments from the UNI board, which I take with a grain of salt but there is some truth to what they are saying, is that USD wasn't a very athletic team. What they are saying jives with not having the talent at positions to push the ball downfield. I think we do have talent on the roster, it just hasn't matured yet.

[yotefanforever]

To pick up on nccyote's thoughts... where is this team on offense by position?

I believe the defense has demonstrated they can compete with anyone in the MVFC. Sure there has been some uneveness in the secondary at times but overall they are a good enough unit to allow this team to win games.

How about the offense? Do we have the athleses and can they get it done consistently. What are our strengths and weaknesses? Where do we need to see improvement? It's understood USD (like virtually all teams during the course of any given season) has incurred key injuries (notably Sam and Trevor)

QB play?

Reciever Corps; are they getting separation, catching the ball when they should, running precise routes, blocking well?

Running Backs; understanding full well that this crew is young.

O-line; run blocking, pass blocking, penalties, generally working well together as a unit?

Overall offensive scheme?

[nccyote]

Nov 3, 2015 12:07:51 GMT -6 yotefanforever said:

To pick up on nccyote's thoughts... where is this team on offense by position?

I believe the defense has demonstrated they can compete with anyone in the MVFC. Sure there has been some uneveness in the secondary at times but overall they are a good enough unit to allow this team to win games.

How about the offense? Do we have the athleses and can they get it done consistently. What are our strengths and weaknesses? Where do we need to see improvement? It's understood USD (like virtually all teams during the course of any given season) has incurred key injuries (notably Sam and Trevor)

QB play?

Reciever Corps; are they getting separation, catching the ball when they should, running precise routes, blocking well?

Running Backs; understanding full well that this crew is young.

O-line; run blocking, pass blocking, penalties, generally working well together as a unit?

Overall offensive scheme?

QB play: Like I said, when Saeger plays well, the offense plays well.  Unfortunately, that hasn't happened vs. quality opponents other than NDSU.  Freshman Austin Simmons is the future at this position.  I saw him play in HS and he looks like he can be the real deal....athletic, strong arm, football IQ

RBs: Good young group.  Like I have said before, if Calvin Strong can ever get eligible, he is a difference maker from day 1.  

WRs:  I think Shufford is our only explosive weapon at the receiver position this season.  Van Roeckel is a good flex TE and matches up well against a lot of LBs and Safeties in the Valley.  Other than that we are very limited at this position.

O-Line:  Our line really struggles with fast, athletic fronts.  YSU and UNI have really given us trouble up front this year with their quickness. We hold our own against physical type front sevens (NDSU, WIU) but it seems like we struggle to adjust to fronts that move well.  Losing Sam is an obvious setback, but it looks like the group has come together with the Elon transfer filling the void left by Sam's injury.  2 big tests remain, with SDSU being one of the best defenses in the country, but they are similar to a NDSU type of defense that thrives on being physical and execution rather than shear athletic ability.  Dale Lennon at SIU always had great defenses at UND in the NCC, so we will see how the Yotes stack up against his 3-4 scheme this week.

Offensive Scheme: I hate...HATE....the spread.  It makes me sick.  That said, I lean toward a lot of the power sets and traditional formations that we were running the last 3 weeks.  However, when we can't run the ball with any efficiency, our entire offensive gameplan goes in the toilet.   I don't know how to change that but it is tough when you don't have a QB or any receivers that you can lean on to lighten up a teams run defense and gain a little more space in the trenches.  

[nccyote]

Just to clarify, All 3 of our remaining games will be a big test for our offense and entire team. SDSU has a very good defense and average offense, SIU is average on both sides from what I have seen, so if our offense can play well I think we win those games. Thats why I referred to them as big test for our O. I haven't really seen that anybody has been able to slow down Illinois St. on offense this year, so for our defense to stop them or our offense to keep pace would be a monumental task.

[golfingyote]

What happened to the zone read that made NDSU look down right silly? I think We ran a zone read maybe once or twice against UNI. That or else can we see something more uptempo when we are struggling to run? Can often times help the QB find a rhythym.

[yotesfan1985]

Nov 3, 2015 12:37:07 GMT -6 nccyote said:

Nov 3, 2015 12:07:51 GMT -6 yotefanforever said:

To pick up on nccyote's thoughts... where is this team on offense by position?

I believe the defense has demonstrated they can compete with anyone in the MVFC. Sure there has been some uneveness in the secondary at times but overall they are a good enough unit to allow this team to win games.

How about the offense? Do we have the athleses and can they get it done consistently. What are our strengths and weaknesses? Where do we need to see improvement? It's understood USD (like virtually all teams during the course of any given season) has incurred key injuries (notably Sam and Trevor)

QB play?

Reciever Corps; are they getting separation, catching the ball when they should, running precise routes, blocking well?

Running Backs; understanding full well that this crew is young.

O-line; run blocking, pass blocking, penalties, generally working well together as a unit?

Overall offensive scheme?

QB play: Like I said, when Saeger plays well, the offense plays well.  Unfortunately, that hasn't happened vs. quality opponents other than NDSU.  Freshman Austin Simmons is the future at this position.  I saw him play in HS and he looks like he can be the real deal....athletic, strong arm, football IQ

RBs: Good young group.  Like I have said before, if Calvin Strong can ever get eligible, he is a difference maker from day 1.  

WRs:  I think Shufford is our only explosive weapon at the receiver position this season.  Van Roeckel is a good flex TE and matches up well against a lot of LBs and Safeties in the Valley.  Other than that we are very limited at this position.

O-Line:  Our line really struggles with fast, athletic fronts.  YSU and UNI have really given us trouble up front this year with their quickness. We hold our own against physical type front sevens (NDSU, WIU) but it seems like we struggle to adjust to fronts that move well.  Losing Sam is an obvious setback, but it looks like the group has come together with the Elon transfer filling the void left by Sam's injury.  2 big tests remain, with SDSU being one of the best defenses in the country, but they are similar to a NDSU type of defense that thrives on being physical and execution rather than shear athletic ability.  Dale Lennon at SIU always had great defenses at UND in the NCC, so we will see how the Yotes stack up against his 3-4 scheme this week.

Offensive Scheme: I hate...HATE....the spread.  It makes me sick.  That said, I lean toward a lot of the power sets and traditional formations that we were running the last 3 weeks.  However, when we can't run the ball with any efficiency, our entire offensive gameplan goes in the toilet.   I don't know how to change that but it is tough when you don't have a QB or any receivers that you can lean on to lighten up a teams run defense and gain a little more space in the trenches.  

This post shows how little people know about the OL and why they are the first to get blamed and the last to get credit. The Elon Transfer (McGuire) has started every game this year at Center. Sam McClarin started at right gard. Kennedy took his spot and is doing a good job.

[Iceman]

Nov 3, 2015 20:43:31 GMT -6 yotesfan1985 said:

Nov 3, 2015 12:37:07 GMT -6 nccyote said:

QB play: Like I said, when Saeger plays well, the offense plays well.  Unfortunately, that hasn't happened vs. quality opponents other than NDSU.  Freshman Austin Simmons is the future at this position.  I saw him play in HS and he looks like he can be the real deal....athletic, strong arm, football IQ

RBs: Good young group.  Like I have said before, if Calvin Strong can ever get eligible, he is a difference maker from day 1.  

WRs:  I think Shufford is our only explosive weapon at the receiver position this season.  Van Roeckel is a good flex TE and matches up well against a lot of LBs and Safeties in the Valley.  Other than that we are very limited at this position.

O-Line:  Our line really struggles with fast, athletic fronts.  YSU and UNI have really given us trouble up front this year with their quickness. We hold our own against physical type front sevens (NDSU, WIU) but it seems like we struggle to adjust to fronts that move well.  Losing Sam is an obvious setback, but it looks like the group has come together with the Elon transfer filling the void left by Sam's injury.  2 big tests remain, with SDSU being one of the best defenses in the country, but they are similar to a NDSU type of defense that thrives on being physical and execution rather than shear athletic ability.  Dale Lennon at SIU always had great defenses at UND in the NCC, so we will see how the Yotes stack up against his 3-4 scheme this week.

Offensive Scheme: I hate...HATE....the spread.  It makes me sick.  That said, I lean toward a lot of the power sets and traditional formations that we were running the last 3 weeks.  However, when we can't run the ball with any efficiency, our entire offensive gameplan goes in the toilet.   I don't know how to change that but it is tough when you don't have a QB or any receivers that you can lean on to lighten up a teams run defense and gain a little more space in the trenches.  

This post shows how little people know about the OL and why they are the first to get blamed and the last to get credit. The Elon Transfer (McGuire) has started every game this year at Center. Sam McClarin started at right gard. Kennedy took his spot and is doing a good job.

You can look at what he said two different ways. He kind of made it sound like he filled in for Sam after his injury. I just took it as he meant his shoulder injury from last year. Maybe that's not what he meant but that's how I took it.

Either way, I think his judgements are spot on. Our line has struggled against defensive lines that can really move. Against teams with bigger defensive lines, they have done much better.

[nccyote]

Sorry about the mistake on players and positions that they play...can't say I"m expert on the USD line this year, as I am a out of state fan that has admittedly only been to one game and watched 4 games online. I will say that I know more about offensive line play than you think, as I played the position in college and have coached it for the last 10 years at the college and high school level. I feel that the post is right on except for the names of players.

[yotesfan1985]

Nov 4, 2015 7:52:33 GMT -6 nccyote said:

Sorry about the mistake on players and positions that they play...can't say I"m expert on the USD line this year, as I am a out of state fan that has admittedly only been to one game and watched 4 games online. I will say that I know more about offensive line play than you think, as I played the position in college and have coached it for the last 10 years at the college and high school level. I feel that the post is right on except for the names of players.

I'm sure this sounds like I'm attacking you but no one cares about your "credentials". This board is for voicing opinions wether they're right or wrong. Wether your a 5 year old or Lue Holtz it's still your oppinion. I just pointed out yor lack of knowledge of who is playing what which IMO speaks to the accuracy of your opinion. The fact that you try to legitimize your opinion with your "credentials" kind of makes you sound like a tool. The truth is the OL has good and less than good games. The key on this and any team is QB play. If Sager in making the right decisions and is accurate on his throws the whole offense looks good. When a QB makes bad reads/ decisions and can't complete a pass the whole offense looks bad. At UNI see first quarter touchdown drive vs rest of the game. RS

[Yote 53]

Zone reads are too slow developing against very good, very quick defensive fronts that get to the football. The play gets shut down before it has time to develop. You counter their quickness with quick hitting power running and overwhelm and outnumber the defense at the point of attack. So, basically, it comes down to a good offensive philosphy, good play selection, and good execution. One of those broke down. I'll let you all debate as to which one it was.

[yote14]

My vote is play selection or lack of creativity/effectiveness in play calling. We were back to run on 1st and 2nd down and throwing on 3rd and 13 again on Saturday during most drives. We were just too predictable again on O. Even the commentators talked about it 3 or 4 times.

If the receivers starting are not quick/athletic enough to get open lets use that next man up philosophy I keep hearing about and try Carpenter, or throw Anderson in the mix. Why force something that isn't working because they are seniors? Wish we did more with Ramsey again too.

[nccyote]

Nov 4, 2015 10:11:56 GMT -6 yotesfan1985 said:

Nov 4, 2015 7:52:33 GMT -6 nccyote said:

Sorry about the mistake on players and positions that they play...can't say I"m expert on the USD line this year, as I am a out of state fan that has admittedly only been to one game and watched 4 games online. I will say that I know more about offensive line play than you think, as I played the position in college and have coached it for the last 10 years at the college and high school level. I feel that the post is right on except for the names of players.

I'm sure this sounds like I'm attacking you but no one cares about your "credentials". This board is for voicing opinions wether they're right or wrong. Wether your a 5 year old or Lue Holtz it's still your oppinion. I just pointed out yor lack of knowledge of who is playing what which IMO speaks to the accuracy of your opinion. The fact that you try to legitimize your opinion with your "credentials" kind of makes you sound like a tool. The truth is the OL has good and less than good games. The key on this and any team is QB play. If Sager in making the right decisions and is accurate on his throws the whole offense looks good. When a QB makes bad reads/ decisions and can't complete a pass the whole offense looks bad. At UNI see first quarter touchdown drive vs rest of the game. RS

i agree, and I regret bringing that up, but I wanted to get acrossed that while I might not know the names of the people playing, that has no relevance on my knowledge of offensive line play...thats all.  Wasn't trying to toot my own horn, but I realize it comes off that way and I apologize for that.  it does make me sound like a tool.